I need help on how to buy film for my camera!?

Question

I'm gonna buy the 35mm Lomo Holga 120S,at least I'm pretty sure its a 35mm.I've never had a film camera before.whats the best find of film to buy for this camera?

Answer 1

A Holga is the quality of a disposable camera with a lot of marketing behind it to make you seem "hip and different" if you buy one.

There many better quality film cameras that you can get used.

If you want a nice versitile camera, the first link is a Canon SLR and 28-80 zoom lens for $100.

If you really want to be different, buy a Bessa L.

Answer 2

I'm confused. Is this a Holga that's been converted to 35mm? The Holga 120S normally takes 120 film, not 35mm film. I have seen adapters online, but I just want to make sure you know this.

Also, I'd say half the point of the Holga is to shoot it in full 6x6 mode (without the 6 x 4.5 plastic insert) since a lot of the interesting effects of the Holga happen with the vignetting and image distortion around the ends of the frames. The 35mm adaptor will destroy much of the character of a Holga image. If you want to do 35mm photography of this sort, it's a better idea, in my opinion, to get a Lomo, and save the Holga for 6x6 work.

Anyhow, Fuji Pro 160S, Kodak Portra 160VC, Fuji Pro 400H, Fuji Portra 400VC all will do you fine, depending on what light levels you're dealing with.

Answer 3

I prefer fuji pro 160 film also Kodak Porta film is excellent.  

Answer 4

Okay, well first of all Holga and Diana cameras aren't the best.  They have a plastic lens and I think only 2 aperture settings.  The shutter is fixed at one speed.  So you won't have that much control over the exposure.  From what I've heard, they also have problems with light leaks.  So if this is your first film camera, don't be too disappointed with the pictures.  Holga cameras aren't a good example of what film can do.  There are MUCH better film cameras.  I have completely manual 35mm and 120 film cameras that can take awesome pictures and completely blow away my 8 megapixel digital camera.  But if you're just experimenting, a Holga camera might be fun to play with, for interesting effects with the soft focus and light leaks.

Holga cameras normally use 120 film.  Some of them are modified to take 35mm film, or you can use an adaptor to convert it to 35mm.  If you modify the camera to use 35mm, you can just buy standard 35mm film from anywhere.  I would recommend Kodak Gold 200.  It's easy to find, even at Walmart, and it's a standard C-41 process color film that you can get developed at any photo lab.  And Kodak Gold gives really nice warm tones with great color saturation if you get the lighting and exposure right.  It's my favorite color film.

Really though, you should just use 120 film.  It will pick MUCH more detail than 35mm.  You can buy 120 film from any good camera shop (a REAL camera shop, not just some place where the clerks are morons and that only sells digital cameras), or you can also order it online.  I would recommend Freestyle Photo Supplies in California.  They have a website, just look it up on Google.  That's where I get most of my film.

You should also try black and white film and learn to develop it yourself at home.  It really isn't that hard to do, and it's a lot of fun!

Good luck.